In Red Wings Land

Tyler Bertuzzi, Red Wings reportedly $1 million apart on salary arbitration bids
The Red Wings and forward Tyler Bertuzzi submitted their briefs Friday, ahead of Sunday’s scheduled arbitration hearing.

Bertuzzi is asking for a $4.25 million salary, according to a report from Sportnet’s Elliotte Friedman, while the Wings are proposing $3.15 million.

Just a reminder that the team typically comes in way low and the player comes in way hi...wait...Bertuzzi is asking pretty much fair market value? That’s weird.

I still think that the deal will get done before the hearing, but I’m not too worried that the outcome will be negative in the same way it has in the past in other NHL arbitration meetings. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, google “Mike Milbury Tommy Salo arbitration.”

Around the NHL

Still no certainties on 2020–21 NHL season after GM call - Sportsnet.ca
A good chunk of the two-hour discussion was spent on the draft lottery. There are calls to change the format, to increase the odds for teams that finish lowest. While there’s a recognition this was a unique year and not the norm, Detroit was incredibly upset with dropping to fourth after a season where it was clear the Red Wings were not tanking.

I can’t imagine that there will be strong opinions here about this topic.